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March 2020 Commentary & Outlook
At the risk of overstating the obvious, the month of February was challenging both psychologically and financially for investors.
As the spread of the Covid-19 virus escalated globally, fear and uncertainty took hold of the markets resulting in the fastest correction of U.S. and Canadian stocks in history.
After peaking near all-time highs somewhere close to the middle of the previous week, by market close on Friday February 28th, the S&P TSX composite Index, representing Canadian stocks, was down overall on the month by approximately 6 percent, while losses on the m
Croft Joins BMO to Open the Market
BMO is celebrating the launch of 11 new ETFs, 8 of which have a focus on companies that are leaders in ESG (Environment, Social and Governance). This innovation in ESG investing comes from a combined strength of BMO Global Asset Management, a UN Principles Responsible Investing (PRI) signatory since 2006 and MSCI, voted best firm for SRI research, corporate governance, research and indexes. 40 years of experience in ESG research has led to over 1300 firms utilizing their ESG insights as part of their investment process.
January 2020 Commentary & Outlook
There was very little holding the U.S. and Canadian stock markets back in December. We had identified a possible headwind with a proposed round of tariffs set to take effect on December 15th. However, with a “Phase 1” trade agreement reached between the U.S. and China instead, and Trump’s impeachment being of no consequence to the markets, investor optimism continued to push stocks higher into the close of 2019.
December 2019 Commentary & Outlook
U.S. and Canadian stocks continued to extend their gains through the month of November and into December, with consumer and service-based sectors leading the charge.
Markets continued to push higher against a background of positive consumer sentiment surveys, low interest rates and supportive central banks, plus a favorable labour market overall, albeit recent Canadian employment numbers have turned sharply negative.
Research Report: Investments to Make During a Trade War
The trade war between Trump and China may have reached a temporary truce but signs of escalation remain. With the ongoing conflict creating more uncertainties, investors are looking for better strategies to minimize the risks and ride out the ongoing trade issues.
Research Report: What’s Changed?
There has been an overriding question raised during our investment committee meetings over the past several months “what’s changed?” and to this point the answer continues to be a resounding “nothing”.
The U.S. and China went tit for tat during the month of August as both sides introduced a new round of tariffs. Economic data came in somewhat weaker than expected and once again, the U.S. treasury bond market “inverted” and thereby flashed another recessionary signal.
Research Report: Recession Fears Continue
Recession fears have been tilting investor sentiment for the past two years making the lon
Research Report: What’s Motivating Markets?
Last month we referenced the continued-up trend in the Canadian and U.S. stock markets for the month of June as being driven by the expectation of a more accommodating monetary policy from Central Banks, along with a fear-of-missing-out mindset on the part of investors.
Croft Group Q2 2019 Commentary & Outlook
The end of June marked the close of the second quarter of 2019 and the halfway point in the year. In reflecting on the past 6 months, the old saying that the market climbs a wall of worry really seems to be quite fitting.
Research Report: Market Melt Up?
A melt up defined by Investopedia “as a dramatic and unexpected improvement in the investment performance of an asset class, driven partly by a stampede of investors who don't want to miss out on its rise, rather than by fundamental improvements in the economy.”
